Greece is unmistakably Phantom country, and once again Athens Flying Week drew us to Tanagra for another unforgettable Hellenic photoflight project. After a fantastic season the year before, we hoped for a repeat—if not something even better. Thanks to the outstanding cooperation of the airshow team and all branches of the Hellenic Armed Forces, we were treated to a series of surprises that exceeded every expectation.
The first came straight away on Wednesday morning, when a planned mission near Andravida brought us instead to the Kalamata region for a rare and remarkable encounter: two F-4 Phantoms together with the ultra-rare T-2 Buckeye. After formation passes with the Phantoms, the Buckeye closed in for a full join-up—an instant highlight and a moment few military photographers ever experience.
Back at Tanagra, the Mirage 2000 community once again proved why they are among our closest friends in Greece. Four Mirages launched for us, creating dynamic formations and dramatic solo displays against the stunning Hellenic scenery. Support from across the armed forces continued throughout the week, with Army Apache helicopters, a special-scheme UH-1 Huey, and a Hellenic Navy formation of AB212 and two Seahawks. A major surprise came from the newly upgraded P-3 Orion, which gave us an unexpected low-level session despite challenging weather. The T-6 Daedalus team flew both solo and as a two-ship with smoke, while mechanical issues kept Zeus on the ground—something to look forward to next time.
Athens Flying Week also brings a strong civilian lineup. We photographed a variety of aerobatic aircraft, including Italian, German, Dutch and French performers, along with Dimitris Vervelis in his black Colibri and two striking passes from the Red Bull Corsair. A beautifully timed sunset session paired the MB.339 and M-346 in perfect evening light. Austria also made its debut at the show, giving us the chance to photograph the Saab 105 in tiger colours over the Hellenic landscape. And of course, the iconic Acropolis overflight returned—this time with the Patrouille de France painting the sky with the world’s largest Hellenic flag.
Departure day delivered the finale we were hoping for: the F-4 Phantom. What began as a fast, powerful private display turned into a marathon session as the pilots repeatedly returned for “one more pass”—forty-two minutes in total with one of the most charismatic jets ever built. It was the perfect ending to a superb week, and as we left Greece, one thing was already certain: we would be back, with the Phantom leading our wish list once again.
